Are you related to the aristocracy?

I wish I had a pound for each time I have been told by a beginner in genealogy that they are related to the aristocracy ! Anyone who has undertaken a reasonable amount of research knows that many a family legend turns out to be a myth although they should never be dismissed as often there is a grain of truth in them. Also those more experienced in family history will know that given enough time and access to records we are all related to landed gentry, aristocracy and royalty. It’s just that those links might be rather distant.

A friend of mine has been corresponding with a fellow researcher on her father’s side of the family and when she saw that this person had put a member of the aristocracy onto her online tree she did a relationship search and found that her correspondent was related to this eminent person via the husband of 1st cousin 4x removed of husband of aunt of husband of grand aunt of husband of aunt of wife of 1st cousin of wife of 1st cousin 1x removed !! Think the genetic links are running a bit thin by then !

The Peerage

If you think there may be an aristocracy connection there is a good website called The Peerage which lists thousands of entries concerning English & European Peerage and titled families. The information is well researched and is presented in family format. There is also a free iPad app as well as the main website.

Find My Past doesn’t seem to have anything to offer in the way of databases especially for the aristocracy.

Google Books

Google Books is a favourite amongst family historians, it is always worthwhile running your family names through the search engine to see what turns up. Also if you know a title of a book that you wish to look at then also try the title search. It is surprising what Google Books holds and the holdings will only get better as books and pamphlets houses at The British Library come online.

A quick search using the word Burke’s showed quite a number of hits for books on the Peerage etc.

About Me

History, particularly Family History is my passion. I have worked in libraries & archives, I teach family history, conduct workshops and give genealogy presentations. It seemed a shame to have all this knowledge & experience and not share it with others, so this website was born.